Board holds organizational meeting

Thursday

Jan 3, 2013 at 9:31 AMJan 3, 2013 at 9:32 AM

By Andy Barrand

andy.barrand@hillsdale.net HILLSDALE — The Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners began the new year Wednesday with its annual organizational meeting. The five-person board was sworn in by County Clerk Marney Kast. Commissioners Andy Welden, John Burtka, Brad Benzing and Mark Wiley were present; Commissioner Parke Hayes was absent from the meeting due to health concerns and was sworn in later in the day by phone. The meeting was the first for Wiley, who represents the third district. The first thing on the agenda was the appointment of a chairperson for 2013. By ballot Burtka was nominated to position. Welden was nominated as vice chairperson. Burtka and Welden will assign chairs to each of the five standing committees at Tuesday's regularly scheduled meeting at 9 a.m. in the Probate Courtroom at the Hillsdale County Courthouse. The board approved an amendment to the adoption of rules and procedures, allowing a commissioner to participate in a meeting via teleconference or Skype. The amendment states a quorum must be present in the council chambers. “I think we need to move ahead with technology,” said Burtka. County Maintenance Supervisor Randy Finley updated the board on the progress of the HVAC work at the courthouse and the courthouse annex. The project carries a $616,979 price tag.“We are moving along fine,” Finley said. The roof work on the courthouse annex is complete, including the installation of new units and reinforcement work. The drop-down ceilings have been removed from the annex to make room for duct work. Finley said the new units will be hooked up next week along with work on the boiler changeover. Commissioners approved payment of a $134,446.75 bill for work on the project. The 2013 meeting scheduled was also approved. Regularly scheduled meetings will be the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 9 a.m. in the Probate Room at the Hillsdale County Courthouse.